Located just 40 minutes from the centre of the capital, Sigtuna is the oldest city in Swedenfounded in 980. Its strategic position, halfway between Stockholm and UppsalaIts rich cultural heritage makes it a destination well worth a visit.
A walk in Sigtuna: Explore Stora Gatan and its charm of yesteryear
Despite the centuries, Sigtuna has managed to retain its old-world charm thanks to its particularly well-preserved market town. Stora Gatanthe main street, invites you to take a stroll through its colourful wooden houses, remnants of the country's former capital. Today, small boutiques and restaurants have set up shop in these buildings, and it's a great place to stop and enjoy a drink on the terrace.
Viking ruins and historic monuments: What to see in Sigtuna?
Apart from this iconic street, Sigtuna is packed with historic remains - some dating back to Viking times, as the town was built during that era - including the town hall, churches (some of which are now just ruins) and the old belfry.
Special mention must go to the "Rikstelefon" (a telephone box dating from the early 20th century), beautifully transformed into a book kiosk, which we found particularly adorable.
For those interested in learning more about the city's history, Sigtuna is home to a museum in the heart of the city centre. It's hard to give you an opinion on the subject as we didn't visit it, but I've heard that it traces the history of the city back to the Stone Age... It's probably an interesting visit, with admission costing less than 6 euros per person.
What to do and how long will I spend in Sigtuna?
As well as discovering the town and its remains, Sigtuna offers some great walks along the shores of Lake Mälaren, Sweden's third largest lake. Its shores, accessible from the town centre, are well laid out for walkers, and there are water sports activities on offer for adventure-seekers.
For a quick visit, a stroll along the lake, and the obligatory fika break, half a day is enough. If you want to explore the museum, visit the surrounding monuments, or enjoy the pleasures of the lake, allow a full day.
Our Good Places in Sigtuna: Where to eat and enjoy a Fika
We can only recommend Tant Bruns KaffestugaA charming café nestling in the heart of the city, in old red buildings. When the sun is out, lunch on the terrace is a real pleasure, the setting being spring-like and green.
Typical lunches and pastries are available at reasonable prices. We tried their sandwiches and two homemade cakes, perfect for a simple but tasty lunch in keeping with Swedish traditions.
